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E90/E91/E92/E93 (2006 - 2013) The E9X is the 4th evolution of the BMW 3 series including a highly tuned twin turbo 335i variant pushing out 300hp and 300 ft. lbs. of torque. BMW continues to show that it sets the bar for true driving performance! -- View the E9X Wiki

I know the leather-Z kit has been out for a while. it just never sat right with me that a) it was almost 400 for the kit that fit the 335i ( tire + tools + spacer & bolts)
b) you needed to use a 15mm spacer to get it to work.

digging through the ETK, it looks like the leather-z spare is the spare from the E46 cab.
3.50BX17 ET:30

a little more digging shows that the E60 550i uses front brake rotors the same size (348mm) and thickness as the 335i. brake calipers look to be of approximate same size.

the compact spare for the 550i is:
4BX17 ET:18

the offset is close to that of the E46 spare plus spacer-- ET 15 for the E46 spare wheel + spacer vs ET 18

now the fun part. BMW sells a retrofit spare kit for the E60. it includes:

total price from tischer BMW, for the whole retrofit kit listed above, before shipping, is $239.

I've ordered up a set, will keep everyone posted as to if it works. if it doesnt, i have a new flower planter. if it does, a spare that works without having to deal with the spacer, and for a lower price.

Did you get a price for just the wheel/tire/valve? Or does it just come as a kit. Cuz I don't need a jack/chock/bracket... I already bought the BMW jack kit. I was planning on using a snow as a spare, but I'm sure your solution would be a thinner, lighter tire.

Did you get a price for just the wheel/tire/valve? Or does it just come as a kit. Cuz I don't need a jack/chock/bracket... I already bought the BMW jack kit. I was planning on using a snow as a spare, but I'm sure your solution would be a thinner, lighter tire.

rim is about 52, tire is 116 from the tire rack, valve, usually 2 bucks when you get the tire mounted. bmw doesnt sell the rim and tire premounted unless its in the kit.
i was actually going to get the rim and tire only, but i only have full sized jacks.

i'm actually hoping i can mount the tire, somehow, to the roof of the trunk.

total price from tischer BMW, for the whole retrofit kit listed above, before shipping, is $239.

I've ordered up a set, will keep everyone posted as to if it works. if it doesnt, i have a new flower planter. if it does, a spare that works without having to deal with the spacer, and for a lower price.

$400 bucks for a spare is highway robbery... I am also interested of there are any alternatives. I have 2006 330xi and I just changed to non-RFT's. I was considering just using AAA, but the problem is if you get a flat and need a new tire it will take 3 days minimum to get one from Tirerack (if the shop doesn't stock those). That's where the spare comes in. It also helps you to get to your destination and not be forced to abandon your trip.

Please keep us informed if any other BMW or other brand spares would fit E90. I assume that '06 330xi and new 335i's would require the same spare, right?

$400 bucks for a spare is highway robbery... I am also interested of there are any alternatives. I have 2006 330xi and I just changed to non-RFT's. I was considering just using AAA, but the problem is if you get a flat and need a new tire it will take 3 days minimum to get one from Tirerack (if the shop doesn't stock those). That's where the spare comes in. It also helps you to get to your destination and not be forced to abandon your trip.

Please keep us informed if any other BMW or other brand spares would fit E90. I assume that '06 330xi and new 335i's would require the same spare, right?

the 330i is a *little* easier, the front brakes are a little smaller than the ones on the 335i. but everything else would be the same

Based on your calculated result of 25.08 inches, there is apparently some minor variance between expected (calculated) and actual (published specification) diameter. Which is why my interest in your actual results. If you have ordered the BMW spare, when it arrives, could you do the following:

1. Mount the spare on your car at specified inflation pressure (60 psi?).
2. Roll the car forward for 1 complete revolution of the tire.
3. Measure the distance covered by the 1 complete revolution of the tire as loaded by the weight of the car.

The distance in item 3. above would give us the loaded circumference of the spare tire. It is then a matter to divide that result into a mile to get the number of rotations value. I acknowledge that the value won't be at speed, but I am wondering how close the rotations result will be to published specifications. If we wanted to get more precise, we could repeat items 1. - 3. for the Bridgestones and make an adjustment based on circumference for the Bridgestones.

I am personally really curious about the result of the measurement for the BMW spare tire. If the measurement is in the ball park, you may have found a viable option.

So, let me get this straight. If the total diameter is approximately equal to the regular tire, then any BMW spare will do? Is the bolt pattern the same? What about spares from older 5- and 3-series? Would they be okay?

So, let me get this straight. If the total diameter is approximately equal to the regular tire, then any BMW spare will do? Is the bolt pattern the same? What about spares from older 5- and 3-series? Would they be okay?

E39 5 series wont fit-- the E39 for some reason had a centerbore that was different than any other bmw. the E39 had a 74.1mm centerbore. almost every other bmw has used 72.56.

E46 3 series will fit, but needs a spacer to clear the brakes.

the whole point of the E60 550i spare is to avoid the use of a spacer and the longer lugs needed.